Aloe, Cape
Aloe ferox
(Bitteraalwyn, Kaapse aalwyn) --Afrikaans
(Umhlaba) --Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho
Family: Liliaceae
Succulent single-stemmed perennial. Native to South Africa.
Most highly esteemed of all medicinal aloes, making a great houseplant!
The leaf mucilage has a cooling and healing influence. Cultivation:
Easy. Use a mixture of sand and potting soil for the starting mix.
Sow seed in spring or summer, barely under soil surface. Keep partially
shaded, warm and moist until germ. Withstands full sun, dry soils.
Keep plants outdoors in mild climates, or indoors in pots when it is cold.
Water sparingly. Flowers bright orange-red. In its native
habitat, it flowers from 6 to 16 feet tall.
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